Presbyterian College
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Search Profile December 2018 Prepared by: Karen L. Goldstein, Ph.D.
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The compelling purpose of
Presbyterian College, as a
church-related college, is to
develop within the frame-
work of Christian faith the
mental, physical, moral, and spiritual capacities of each
student in preparation for a lifetime of personal and
vocational fulfillment and
responsible contribution to
our democratic society and the world community.
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Presbyterian College | Vice President Prospectus
Presbyterian College has transformed lives for 138 years. Widely recognized for its academic programs and commitment to community service, PC seeks a vice president who embraces the mission of the institution and possesses the vision required for achieving the goals of the strategic plan, The Promise of PC.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Presbyterian College (PC) invites nominations and applications for the position
of Vice President for Finance and Administration. PC seeks an experienced financial
leader who is strategic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative: the successful applicant will
contribute energy, leadership, and expertise to the development and implementation of the College’s programs and priorities. Reporting directly to the President, this position is responsible for supporting the mission and strategic plans of the College with the highest quality financial and administrative direction.
Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, S.C.,
halfway between Columbia and Greenville. The campus includes 60 buildings totaling 910,000 square feet, and it includes Georgian-style academic and living spaces
for undergraduates as well as a separate campus in Clinton that houses the College’s School of Pharmacy. Committed to a culture of honor, ethics, and service that offers challenging academics and prepares students to be leaders in their communities, PC
delivers to its students a range of curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular classes and activities. In both undergraduate and graduate programs, students work with an
exceptional faculty who take a strong, individual interest in their students’ personal and academic well-being.
In order to apply for this position, please see the section called Nomination and
Application Process on page 24 of this document.
THE COLLEGE
Presbyterian College is committed to offering a rigorous education with a built-
in support network: professors, students, and administrators work as a community, inspiring PC students both to develop as individuals and to embody the College’s
motto – “while we live, we serve.” The College encourages students to be adventurous
and successful, competitive and compassionate. Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate enrollment at PC is 965, with additional graduate pharmacy enrollment of 248.
The student faculty ratio is 12:1, with an average class size of 16 and a 80%
retention rate of first year to second year students. Faculty and staff total 300.
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HISTORY AND CHARACTERISTICS
Rev. William Plumer Jacobs, pastor of Clinton’s First Presbyterian Church and
founder of Thornwell Orphanage, established the college as Clinton College in 1880. A new charter in 1890 changed the name to Presbyterian College of South Carolina. Under provisions of this charter, the original plans of management by the Clinton
Presbyterian Church were expanded to permit election of trustees by the presbyteries of the South Carolina Synod. Georgia Presbyterians joined in support of PC in
1928. Fundamental changes in facilities and curriculum came in 1965 with the move to full coeducation. (Previously, women had attended in limited numbers, mainly as day students.) In 1988, Florida Presbyterians joined Georgia and South Carolina
churches in the new Synod of the South Atlantic, which provides both support and trustee responsibility for the College. These states serve as the primary geographic
service area, with special emphasis on South Carolina. The College added a School of Pharmacy that opened in 2010. Admission to the College is selective, with the rigor
of secondary school record, class rank, and academic GPA as very important factors; the College made standardized tests optional for applications in 2013. A School of
Health Professions is under development, with new graduate offerings in Physician Assistant Studies and Occupational Therapy.
MISSION AND GOALS
The compelling purpose of Presbyterian College, as a church-related college,
is to develop within the framework of Christian faith the mental, physical, moral,
and spiritual capacities of each student in preparation for a lifetime of personal and
vocational fulfillment and responsible contribution to our democratic society and the world community.
The following goals guide the College in its attempt to fulfill its mission: • To help students gain a basic knowledge of humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences; a special competence in one or more particular areas of study; and an ability to see these studies as part of the larger search for truth • To develop in students the ability to think clearly and independently, to make critical judgments, and to communicate effectively in both speech and writing • To foster in students an aesthetic appreciation of the arts and literature • To acquaint students with the teachings and values of the Christian faith • To help students develop moral and ethical commitments, including service to others • To help students attain a sense of dignity, self-worth, and appreciation of other persons of diverse backgrounds • To encourage in students an appreciation for teamwork and for physical fitness and athletic skills that will contribute to lifelong health • To foster in students an appreciation of, and concern for, the environment and natural resources
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The Promise of PC
In November 2017, the Board of Trustees approved an ambitious strategic plan
for Presbyterian College, The Promise of PC, that the College expects to benefit stu-
dents, faculty and staff for the next three to five years. The Promise of PC is a commitment to developing the whole student and positioning the institution to address the
challenges and opportunities of PC’s present and future. Successful execution of this
plan requires the strategic skills and the financial and entrepreneurial expertise of the new Vice President for Finance and Administration to ensure both ongoing implementation and effective stewardship of resources to bring the plan to fruition. The Promise of PC delivers in four strategic areas. Strategic Growth
First, the plan aggressively promotes The Promise of PC by expanding PC’s
offerings to appeal to more students and faculty. Presbyterian will do so by enhancing
the curricular, athletic, and co-curricular experiences for both existing and prospective undergraduate and graduate students. To realize this strategy, PC will:
• Increase undergraduate enrollment through new majors and minors developed by faculty • Increase graduate enrollment through establishment of health professions programs • Enhance and expand co-curricular offerings including club sports and student activities • Expand the athletic program through addition of new sports and repositioning of football Assuring Student Success
Second, the plan builds the College’s ability to fulfill the promise by employing
new initiatives to ensure student success. This strategy includes the development and implementation of:
• The Office of Diversity and Inclusion • Additional resources for academic success, retention, and advising • The Quality Enhancement Plan, including: o First and second year exploration courses • Resources to support additional internships and work based experiences
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Valuing PC People and Places – Investing in Infrastructure
Third, the plan invests in infrastructure – both in buildings and in people. These
are assets that are critical for students to realize The Promise of PC in and out of the classroom. To realize this strategy, the College will:
• Create new spaces to live, learn and study o Building on the investments in Greenville Dining Hall, Richardson Hall (science building) and Neville Hall (humanities building) o Continue implementation of a Campus Master Plan o Investing more than $26M in capital projects, including previous renovations to Neville Hall, Greenville Dining Hall, Richardson Science Hall and upcoming plans for renovating Springs Campus Center, repurposing of Laurens Hall (a residential facility converted to office space), and re-envisioning Bailey Hall (a residential facility with 17,000 square feet planned for conversion to hosting the Occupational Therapy program) • Improve compensation and benefits for faculty and staff on an annual basis • Development of orientation programs, communication plans, and benefits review for campus employees Sharing the PC Story
Fourth, the plan describes how PC shares its promise with different audiences
– potential students, students, alumni, and those who believe in the importance of the type of education PC provides. Presbyterian College will:
• No longer be a “best kept secret” • Expand marketing and communication efforts o Increase Marketing and Communications staff o Develop PC Magazine, website, social media • Expand Advancement in the following ways o Develop the Chapters and Class Agent programs o Deliver The Promise of PC events o Develop Campaign Readiness There has been significant progress on The Promise of PC since its adoption in November 2017, much of which will be discussed below.
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Academic Programs
Presbyterian College combines the best small college teaching of undergradu-
ate humanities, natural sciences, and business grounded in the liberal arts, along with
new and emerging graduate programs in health professions. PC offers 42 majors, nine pre-professional programs, and one current and two planned graduate programs. As
part of The Promise of PC, the College has launched this year a new major and minor
in Computational Biology – the use of biological data to improve diagnosis and treatment of different diseases – and a new major and minor in Data Analytics – where students use statistical tools and machine learning techniques to solve real-world
problems. Both these programs take the best parts of a PC education – capacities to
analyze, to reason, to communicate, and the development of skills – and apply them in current, real-world settings. Developed by PC faculty in concert with College lead-
ers, these programs are at the forefront of PC’s efforts to broaden its reach within the Southeastern United States to attract students interested in careers in these fields.
As part of The Promise of PC, the College is ensuring that each student has the
potential to succeed on campus by putting more people and infrastructure in place
outside the classroom, by launching innovative programs to connect problem-solving skills with vocational choices, and by reviewing processes to enhance student experiences with advising, internships, and career opportunities.
“These four years have given us an education, lifelong friends and memories, and an alma mater we can be proud of. People say all the time that what makes PC is the people. We may be moving on from a building, a campus, an institution. But we are not moving on from PC because the people are PC.”– Janie Miles ’18
Developed as part of PC’s reaccreditation process with the Southern Associa-
tion of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Compass: Chart Your Course represents a comprehensive effort to transform the student learning
experience by providing focused opportunities to develop problem-solving skills. This
year’s incoming class is the first group of students to participate in this five-year initiative. Through first-year and second-year exploration courses, students will engage in
problem-solving, consider their future plans, and explore the importance of vocation
and career choices. Students will apply knowledge from their majors to develop a “signature work” on complex issues in their fields of study. From a cornerstone experience as a first-year student to a capstone experience as an anticipated graduate, students
will gain value throughout their PC careers in identifying, analyzing, and managing complex problems.
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Presbyterian is also providing support structures for all students to assist them
in realizing The Promise of PC. The College is identifying and engaging first-generation students on campus who may require direct attention and discovery of success strategies. PC has established an Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council is conducting a Campus Climate Survey and de-
veloping a Diversity Action Plan. PC has also added staff to its Office of Academic
Success, and it launched tracking software to assist students and faculty in identify-
ing issues on campus before they become obstacles to success and retention. In their second year, students will now receive individualized career check-ins and focused
interviews. The College is also currently studying models that promote increased ac-
cess to and participation in internships in the summer as well as during the traditional academic year.
Presbyterian College is building on the core undergraduate liberal arts program
with graduate opportunities such as the School of Pharmacy (PCSP), which was
launched in 2010. PCSP provides a quality education that enables the delivery of
optimal team-based patient care, fosters leadership, and creates a culture of service. It consists of four years of coursework and pharmacy practice leading to the Doctor of
Pharmacy degree. The 24 faculty members utilize an applied and integrated model of
medication therapy management — a process that helps students understand just how the complex elements of pharmacy fit together. This program attracts 60-65 students each year to campus, with a target of 240-260 students in the program overall. The
School of Pharmacy has a variety of programs that offer admission opportunities to PC undergraduates and is also working on dual-degree options with other institutions.
In addition to Pharmacy, PC has invested in pursuing a Master’s program in
Physician Assistant Studies (PA program). This program is designed to enroll 32-36
students in each annual cohort of students for a 24 month program divided into two types of learning: didactic instruction with 5-6 program faculty and clinical experi-
ences from core rotations lasting six weeks (Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Women’s Health. College leaders anticipate matriculating the first class of PA students in October 2019,
pending achieving Accreditation – Provisional status through a campus site visit in March 2019 and evaluation at the June 2019 ARC-PA meeting. PC is also plan-
ning for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program to launch within the next two
to three years. A founding director for the program is in place, and work is underway for developing the location (Bailey Hall) and preparing the curriculum. The College
anticipates this three-year program will have at least 30 students in each cohort. Both these programs will be located in a School of Health Professions to be established later this academic year.
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The Campus The Promise of PC also means that PC leaders are continuing to
renovate and build a campus that offers new, upgraded, and refreshed living, learning, and gathering spaces. The work PC has done since 2014 in Georgia Hall (a renovated residence hall), the new food
court in Springs Student Center, Greenville Dining Hall, Richard-
son Science Hall, and Neville Hall (the College’s signature academic building) reflects that commitment, but there is more to be done. In fall 2018, PC broke ground for three new, apartment-style build-
ings with a total of 144 beds for seniors near the heart of campus.
Thanks to the work of the Presbyterian College Real Estate Foundation, and the USDA Rural Development Community Programs office, that part of The Promise of PC will be realized within the
next 12 months. Transforming Springs Student Center by offering
more space for recreation, meetings, and events comes next, and PC will be developing new individual and group study spaces throughout the heart of campus. Work on Laurens Hall and Bailey Hall,
both of which were residential facilities, will also reimagine these
spaces. Barron Hall and Grotnes Hall, student housing spaces, went through infrastructure work in summer 2018.
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Campus Life
As a residential campus, Presbyterian College believes that living on campus
provides essential opportunities for personal growth, development and education.
Therefore, all full-time PC students are required to live on campus with some specific
exceptions. PC offers a mix of housing including hall-style, suite-style and apartmentstyle residential buildings. The campus life is lively and stimulating and includes a
wide variety of activities. PC offers more than 60 clubs and organizations, including
academic and professional organizations, honor societies, student government bodies, campus recreation programs, multicultural programs, fine and musical arts, student
volunteer services organizations, religious organizations, and fraternities and sororities. PC is also expanding co-curricular activities such as the Presbyterian College Model United Nations team and is re-launching the College’s China Scholars program,
which provides scholarships for students to travel to international partners at Guizhou University in Guiyang, China.
Athletics
Presbyterian College is the smallest Division I institution in the NCAA, having
completed the transition to Division I in 2011. A member of the Big South Conference, the College determined in 2017 to transition to the Pioneer League (Division
I with no athletic scholarships) in football only. This transition in football will occur over the next three years, with full competition in the Pioneer League beginning in
2021. All current football players will remain on their existing athletic scholarships,
while football players who enrolled this year were not eligible for athletic scholarships. They are, however, eligible for academic scholarship and need-based financial aid in
the future. In PC’s judgment, these moves give the College flexibility to position other new and existing athletic programs to compete and succeed at the Division I level.
They also help to distribute the College’s existing resources in a way that attracts more
students to campus as a whole, generating additional revenue while carefully managing all of the College’s resources. PC is also starting new programs in wrestling for both men and women, as well as establishing teams for competitive cheer and acrobatics
and tumbling. PC is also adding club sports in archery, tennis, bowling and bass fishing that will allow more student to pursue their interests on and off campus.
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Leadership The Board of Trustees The Presbyterian College Board of Trustees is composed of 26 trustees who are charged with the overall governance and shaping of the policies that lead the College in its practices and in reaching its goals. The Board of Trustees meets in committees and as a whole four times a year. The Vice President for Finance and Administration is responsible for supporting the Audit Committee and the Resource Management Committee, as well as both the Investment Subcommittee and the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee of the Resource Management Committee. Where needed, the Vice President for Finance and Administration will support (with the President) the Administrative Committee of the Board, which acts as necessary when the Board is not in session. President Robert (Bob) Emmett Staton is the 18th President of PC, having returned to campus in 2015. His involvement with the College spans five decades, as he is a 1968 graduate. President Staton earned a JD from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He went on to become the chairman and CEO of Colonial Life before his retirement from that business, and he currently serves on the board of Delta Apparel, a publicly traded company with executive offices in Greenville, S.C. President Staton served as a member of the College’s Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2006, serving on and chairing several committees. He also served as chair of the College’s Promise and Challenge capital campaign. In January 2007, President Staton joined the College’s administration as executive vice president for external relations, and he remained in that position until 2012, also serving as Chief of Staff in 2011-2012. At the 2015 Commencement ceremonies, Staton received an honorary doctorate of public service degree from the College and shortly thereafter became President of Presbyterian. Since becoming President, he has led the development and execution of the College’s strategic plan and begun the planning for a capital campaign. Jacqueline (“Jacki”) Berkshire joined PC in July 2017 as Vice President for Advancement. A graduate of James Madison University, she continued her studies at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Prior to joining the PC Leadership Team, Ms. Berkshire served as Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff of the VMI (Virginia Military Institute) Foundation. While at VMI Jacki developed the Donor Relations and Stewardship division of the Foundation and provided support to the communications department. Berkshire’s professional background also includes serving as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the VMI Foundation and Director of Annual Giving at Southeastern Louisiana University. Barbara Fayad is Vice President for Human Resources and Title IX, a role in which she has served since 2001. She was previously AVP for Human Resources at her alma mater, Newberry College, from 1979 to 2001. Ms. Fayad has been a member of the President’s Leadership Team and served on various college committees. Ms. Fayad is the staff member to the Board of Trustees’ Human Resources Subcommittee as well as its Audit Committee and its Resource Management Committee.
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Dr. L. Clifton Fuhrman, Jr. is Dean of the Presbyterian School of Pharmacy, having served in that role since December 2012. He is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the educational, research, service, and pharmacy practice programs at the School of Pharmacy. Dr. Fuhrman has served as President and three terms as Treasurer of the South Carolina Society of Health Systems Pharmacists and as the Midlands Region Board Member of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association. He has been awarded the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award on two occasions, and Dean Fuhrman was named the South Carolina Health Systems Pharmacist of the Year in 2001. Suzanne Petrusch is Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, and she joined PC in June 2016. For the previous 12 years, she served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Suzanne’s move to San Antonio followed 15 years of progressive responsibility at the University of Dayton where she served as the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Trinity University and a Master of Science in education from the University of Dayton and currently is a doctoral student in educational leadership at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Donald R. Raber II has served as Provost at Presbyterian since January 2013. He joined the faculty in Political Science in 2002, and he continues to teach in the department. He served as chair of the department from 2008 to 2012, and he was named Dean of Academic Programs in July 2012. During his time as Provost, Dr. Raber has worked on multiple projects related to facilities renovation, accreditation, and development of graduate programs. Dr. Joy S. Smith is Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students. She joined the PC Leadership Team in January 2013. Dr. Smith is the former Associate Vice President for student affairs and dean of students at Clemson University. She has a comprehensive background in all areas of campus life, including student learning and development, career services, student health services, and multicultural affairs. Dr. Smith received her B.S. in administrative management in 1975 and master of education in 1977, both from Clemson University. She received her Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina in 1991. Danny Sterling is in his second season as Presbyterian College Director of Athletics, having assumed the position in June 2017. Sterling spent the previous eight years as Athletic Director at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. While there he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, a multi-million dollar budget, a staff of 45, and over 300 students. He was instrumental in the development of all strategic and financial planning, as well as athletic revenue generation and development initiatives.
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Financial and Administrative Information According to the Financial Statements of Presbyterian College for fiscal year 2018, the Net Position of the College increased by $3.33 million with net operating and non-operating revenues of $48,298,148. In fiscal year 2017, the Net Position of the College increased by $12,470,771 with net operating and non-operating revenues of 55,390,966. Due to common control and relationship, the activities of the Presbyterian College Real Estate Foundation and the Presbyterian College Foundation are also included in the Financial Statements. Investments for Presbyterian College totaled $91,018,763 in fiscal year 2018. The College’s long-term debt as of fiscal year 2018 was $33,905,409. With additional borrowing after the close of the fiscal year, the total debt of PC now stands at approximately $50 million. Through a strategic master plan, Presbyterian College Real Estate Foundation (“PCREF”) plans to assist the College in its modeled growth by acquiring certain assets and starting on a construction and renovation plan the College has developed for its planned growth. PCREF is the borrower and constructing entity for the acquisition and construction. PCREF has applied for USDA Loan Funds for two phases of projects. Phase 1 of the request is for the construction of a new 144-bed student housing facility. Phase 2 of the request involves repairs and renovations to several existing eligible campus facilities (student housing and academic). On August 3, 2018, the PCREF received the USDA Letter of Conditions outlining the financing plan and certain requirements to secure final financing at the end of Phase 1 of the construction project. Final, planned funding for Phase 1 consists of a $45,805,000 USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and $5,000,000 Community Facilities Direct Loan. On September 20, 2018, USDA issued a Guide 1A to Synovus Bank authorizing interim financing for these amounts. The College has submitted its application for Phase 2. On September 21, 2018, Presbyterian College and PCREF closed on loans with Synovus Bank to pay off all outstanding debt with SunTrust Bank. The College refinanced construction loans for Neville Hall and Richardson Hall at a fixed interest rate of 4.25%. PCREF assumed responsibility for and paid off the 2015 tax-exempt bond. Interest will accrue at a fixed rate of 2.95% for up to 30 months. Synovus also reimbursed PCREF $2.2 million for student housing construction costs paid to date. The interest rate on this construction loan is 2.95%. Finally, the college terminated the Interest Rate Swap with SunTrust Bank and received $14,000. The PCREF signed a construction contract for construction of Presbyterian College Student Housing. Construction began in July 2018. As of October 2018, contractual commitments under the construction contract entered into during the year totaled approximately $2,700,000. Presbyterian College is planning a fundraising campaign to support The Promise of PC. College leadership has completed a campaign feasibility study, held eight Promise of PC events with over 600 attendees, established a Class Agent Program and formed Chapters in key markets. In fiscal year 2018, fundraising exceeded all goals. Clinton is the symbol of small town charm in the heart of upstate South Carolina. Main Street Clinton hosts many events over the course of the year including children’s events and music and barbeque festivals.
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Clinton, South Carolina The City of Clinton is located just 45 minutes south of Greenville or Spartanburg, one hour north of Columbia, and just three hours from the Charleston port. Clinton is the second largest municipality in Laurens County with a population of 8,503 and an area of ten square miles. Along with Presbyterian College, Laurens County Memorial Hospital, a 90-bed hospital and health care facility, is located in and serves the residents of Clinton and the surrounding area.
The Position of Vice President for Finance and Administration Serving as the strategic financial advisor to the president, the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) will provide strategic leadership, planning, management and coordination for all financial, treasury and many administrative functions of the College. The VPFA will join a forward thinking and energetic President and a cohesive senior leadership team eager for a strategic and collaborative colleague. Specific Responsibilities Among the VPFA’s specific responsibilities are institutional accounting and fiscal management; financial projections, institutional budget preparation, operation, and oversight; property management; endowment management; financial analysis and reporting; project management; health benefits; purchasing and contract administration; facilities management and construction services; risk management (including environmental health and safety, emergency management, operations, and insurance negotiations and management), dining services, the Scotsman’s Corner spirit store, the online book store, mail services, and information technology. The VPFA leads his or her staff in the strategic and service oriented management of the Business Office, Campus Services, Information Technology, and Auxiliary Services. The VPFA also serves as the Secretary for the Presbyterian College Real Estate Foundation. He or she also serves as the strategic financial resource on initiatives related to The Promise of PC strategic plan and joint ventures. The VPFA serves as ex officio officer and advisor to the Board of Trustees for assigned committees, developing strong working relationships with chairs of assigned board committees and other members of the Board of Trustees. Those committees are the Resource Management committee, including the Investment Subcommittee and the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee, and the Audit Committee. The VPFA is also responsible for promulgating policies and procedures for all functional areas within the Finance and Administration Division; managing controls and procedures for the receipt, accounting, and disbursement of institutional funds; planning, directing, managing, and evaluating a complex operation, using all resources available (human, financial, and physical) for the accomplishment of long-term and short-term goals of the institution and overseeing all aspects of contract administration for the College. The VPFA signs, jointly with the President, in the name of Presbyterian College all promissory notes, bonds, debentures, mortgages, deeds and other sealed instruments, and the VPFA impresses the seal of the College as required.
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The VPFA represents the College, by proxy or in person, at meetings of stockholders of corporations in which the College own shares and other securities entitling it to vote. He or she also endorses, jointly with the President, securities for purchase, sale or transfer and endorses for sale or management off-campus real estate holdings of the College. She or he maintains full and accurate records and accounts of the College and has the College’s accounts audited annually by an external firm of certified public accountants selected by the Audit Committee of Board and reporting directly to that Committee. The VPFA negotiates, signs, and manages all external contracts and debt on behalf of the College. He or she also signs all vendor contracts with the stipulation that the Provost, President and/or VP for Human Resources sign employment and special personal agreement contracts. The VPFA serves as legal liaison and compliance officer for the College, working with external counsel on specific issues, litigation and federal regulations as appropriate. He or she also assists the Advancement Office by providing and supporting financial data for foundation and grant requests. The VPFA promotes teamwork within the finance and administration area and across the campus by developing excellent working relationships with faculty, staff and students, and particularly by serving as a mentor to leaders in finance and administration who understands and builds upon the strengths of those staff members to foster growth and development. The VPFA works to engage with partners in the local community and to develop relationships with College stakeholders in Clinton and in Laurens County, South Carolina. Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership The new VPFA will be asked to provide leadership in the following areas: • Strategic and financial support and promulgation of The Promise of PC, including regular assessment of attainment of strategic goals, as well as determination of the levels of revenue and expenditure necessary for the successful achievement of the strategic plan. • Support and development of the finance and administration team and development of their leadership skills as they support the faculty, students and staff of the College. • Strategic financial and administrative support to the President and Board of Trustees. • Strategic partnership with the Provost and all the other members of the senior leadership team. It is anticipated that the VPFA will live in the Clinton community and work productively with the leadership of the city of Clinton as well as members of the Laurens County community in encouraging mutual benefit between the city, county, and College.
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Qualifications and Personal Qualities The VPFA will be a consummate professional with the highest integrity who embraces a team environment and works with colleagues in a spirit of partnership, openness, and fiscal responsibility. He or she will be a strategic entrepreneurial and innovative leader with excellent fiscal credentials focused on best practices and possessing significant managerial experience as well as highly attuned communication skills. Education A Bachelor’s degree is required. An MBA or related master’s degree, or CPA/CMA certification is preferred. Experience The successful candidate will have a minimum of ten years of professional experience in finance, investment, business management and related work including leadership responsibility. Experience in higher education is strongly preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Attributes The following are essential: • Demonstrated strategic leadership abilities in working with individuals across the College • A collaborative, inclusive and transparent management style • A proven record of effective change management • Ability to provide institutional leadership for all constituents with a clear and dispassionate analysis of information related to key issues • Understanding and use of a wide variety of financing techniques, financial forecasting and ratio analysis, business intelligence, policy analysis, data analysis, program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis. • Ability to build and maintain a strong team that will be a partner to leadership and faculty of the College within an environment of shared governance • A willingness to embody core values of integrity, respect, compassion, service, and lifelong learning • Knowledge of complex financial and administrative activities in an institution of higher education, the practices, methods, resources and standards thereof • Ability to establish and maintain effective and supportive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public • Knowledge of the latest management methods and ability to provide administrative guidance within areas of responsibility, providing direct training and supervision as needed • Ability to apply budgetary and fiscal planning techniques within financial constraints • Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities • Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes • Ability to communicate effectively – both orally and in writing • Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex or controversial topics to the Board and the College community Leadership Profile
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Nomination and Application Process The Vice President for Finance and Administration Search Committee will begin reviewing applications in January 2019 and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by January 25, 2019. Candidates should provide a letter of interest, rĂŠsumĂŠ and five professional references with email and telephone numbers (references will not be contacted without prior written authorization from the applicant). Applications and nominations should be sent electronically (PDF or MS Word) to PCVPFA@agbsearch.com. The search is being supported by: Karen L. Goldstein, Ph.D. Executive Search Consultant AGB Search karen.goldstein@agbsearch.com 561-862-7569
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